Webley & Scott 1913 Naval Model Automatic Pistol

Published on March 23, 2014
Duration: 4:46

The Webley & Scott 1913 Naval Model was a semi-automatic pistol adopted by the British Royal Navy, developed by William John Whiting to handle the challenging .455 rimmed cartridge. It features a recoil-operated locked breech system and a unique magazine disconnect feature requested by the Navy. Production ceased around 1917 due to WWI, making these pistols rare collector's items today.

Quick Summary

The Webley & Scott 1913 Naval Model was a semi-automatic pistol adopted by the British Royal Navy, designed by William John Whiting to fire the challenging .455 rimmed cartridge. It featured a recoil-operated locked breech and a unique magazine disconnect requested by the Navy, making it a rare collector's item.

Chapters

  1. 00:20Introduction to the 1913 Naval Model
  2. 00:49Development History by W.J. Whiting
  3. 01:28Royal Navy Adoption vs. Army
  4. 01:57Recoil-Operated Mechanical Design
  5. 02:45Magazine Disconnect Feature Explained
  6. 03:33Controls and Safety Features
  7. 03:46WWI Impact and Rarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Webley & Scott 1913 Naval Model pistol?

The Webley & Scott 1913 Naval Model was a semi-automatic pistol successfully adopted by the British Royal Navy. Developed by William John Whiting, it was designed to handle the powerful .455 rimmed cartridge.

Why was the .455 cartridge difficult for a semi-automatic pistol?

The .455 rimmed cartridge presented significant engineering challenges for semi-automatic designs due to its rimmed case, which is typically better suited for revolvers. The 1913 model used a robust recoil-operated locked breech system to manage it.

What unique feature did the Royal Navy request for the 1913 Naval Model?

The Royal Navy requested a magazine disconnect feature. This allowed the pistol to be fired single-shot while keeping a full magazine in reserve, achieved via dual catches on the magazine.

When was the Webley & Scott 1913 Naval Model produced and why is it rare?

Production of the 1913 Naval Model ended around 1917, largely due to the shifting priorities of World War I. This limited production run, combined with its specialized adoption, makes it a rare collector's item today.

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